Many philosophers and religious leaders ponder on human nature, free will, and the capacity of humans to make choices that can be viewed as morally right or morally wrong. Zarathustra, an Iranian prophet and prominent religious figure, was among those who argued that humans are capable of choosing between good and evil. Specifically, the prophet discusses the human capacity to make choices in the hymn, or Yasna, 30 of the sacred writing Avesta.
Human nature is an incredibly complex concept that can manifest through the behavior and actions of a person. Yasna 30, believed to be written by Zarathustra himself and included in the collection of sacred Iranian hymns known as Avesta, considers human nature from the perspective of free will (“Avesta: Yasna 28-34,” 2020). In the hymn, Zarathustra introduces the notion of duality – two primal spirits, “the Better and the Bad, in thought and word and action” (“Avesta: Yasna 28-34,” 2020, para. 27).
Thus, good and evil exist in the world, and a person can decide between the two and make their own choice of whether to follow the Better or the Bad. Freedom of choice is universal and available to every person. According to Zarathustra, without coercion, persons must choose between the two primal spirits, and the morally good choice can be made only after careful consideration of all facts (“Avesta: Yasna 28-34,” 2020). Therefore, it can be argued that human nature is essentially good as careful choices contribute to the triumph of the creator Deity.
In summary, Zarathustra assumed that human nature is fundamentally good, and all humans are capable of making a choice out of their own free will. The main choice all persons are faced with is between good and evil, the two primal spirits that can affect one’s thoughts and beliefs, expressions, and deeds. Thus, morally good choices can be made if a person makes the right choice between the two spirits.
Reference
Avesta: Yasna 28-34. (2020). Then Again WebChron. Web.